The 2014 Caulfield Cup remains on track to have a record number of international participants after sixteen overseas-trained horses were included in the first acceptances for the Group 1 event.

Fawkner remains a chance of becoming the first horse since Rising Fast in 1955 to win the Caulfield Cup in back-to-back years. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

The Japanese-trained duo of Admire Rakti and Bande have already entered quarantine in Japan and they are set to arrive in Australia on September 20 to begin preparations for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Admire Rakti is likely to carry the top weight of 58 kilograms in the Caulfield Cup, after he was allocated 56 kilograms by Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter last week, and he will be ridden by Zac Purton, while Melbourne Cup winning jockey Christophe Lemaire has been booked to ride Bande.

Dandino and Red Cadeaux both failed to fire in the Group 3 September Stakes (2414m) at Kempton Park on September 6, but both remain in contention to arrive in the first shipment of European-trained runners in Australia and run in the Caulfield Cup.

Marco Botti is not overly keen to run Dandino in the Caulfield Cup, but he could still have multiple runners in the race after both Seismos and Renew were included in the first acceptances.

The Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) is expected to be the major 2014 Spring Racing Carnival goal for Dan Excel, but he remains in contention to run in the Caulfield Cup, despite being allocated 57 kilograms.

Dan Excel has produced his best form from a mile to 2000 metres and has never run in a race longer than 2011 metres, making a tilt at the Group 1 handicap over 2400 metres unlikely for the Singapore Airlines International Cup winner.

Staying mare Ambivalent, Andre Fabre-trained Au Revoir, Gai Waterhouse-owned Café Society, consistent mare Just The Judge, Aphrodite Stakes winner Noble Protector, German star Protectionist, Mackinnon Stakes winner Side Glance and OTI-owned Van Percy are the other overseas-trained gallopers that remain a chance of running in the Caulfield Cup.

The Macedon Lodge team of Lloyd Williams won the 2013 Caulfield Cup with Fawkner and the high-profile operation is set to have a strong hand in the Caulfield Cup once again.

Fawkner is unlikely to be given the opportunity to defend his Caulfield Cup crown and has been set for the Cox Plate, but the likes of 2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon, the talented Sea Moon and the recently imported Almandin could contest the Group 1 event at Caulfield on October 11 after they got into the race well in the weights.

Another Group 1 winner that got into the Caulfield Cup well in the weights is four-time Group 1 winning mare Silent Achiever and she has also been included in the Caulfield Cup first acceptances, while the likes of Dear Demi, Hawkspur, Moriarty, Mr O’Ceirin and Royal Descent remain a chance of contesting the race for the second year in a row.

Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer resumed with a strong effort in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes on Saturday and remains on track to contest the Caulfield Cup, while new race favourite Lucia Valentina was also among the first acceptances after her scintillating first-up win in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m).

Progressive stayer Entirely Platinum, imported galloper Our Voodoo Prince, last start winner St Jean, popular grey Puissance De Lune, Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance, Queensland galloper Teronado and Heatherlie Handicap winner Stipulate were also among the 2014 Caulfield Cup first acceptances.

Full Caulfield Cup First Acceptances